Air quality reached critical levels post Diwali in Varanasi: Research

Delhi too recorded a new high in the toxicity levels since the October 30 Diwali night

Varanasi, Nov 2: A research has found that the air quality reached critical levels and remained below the standards set by the Centre post Diwali in the city.

Care4Air Campaign, which conducted the research in 13 major locations across the city on Monday, found that PM 2.5 particles reached above alarming levels and in Sonarpura, Machhodari, Lanka, Godoliya and Sarnath areas, it were 15 to 20 times above the norms set by the Union government.

The data was released in a press conference here by Whistle Blower Trust. Chief Campaigner, Care4Air Campaign, Ekta Shekhar said the PM 2.5 levels in Sonarpura area reached as high as 999 micrograms per cubic meter.

In Machhodari, the PM 2.5 levels peaked to 632.8 micrograms per cubic meter, while PM 10 to 815.8. While in Sarnath and Lanka the PM 2.5 levels were recorded at 463 and 432.6 micrograms per cubic meters respectively, she said.

Senior pulmonologist Dr R N Vajpeyee said such levels of PM 10 and PM 2.5 affects most the children and the old. People who are otherwise healthy may suffer from asthma and COPD problems. Those who are already suffering by such problems have a greater risk of severe attacks, he said.

Vajpeyee said that the immediate reason behind such increase in pollution levels were bursting of fire crackers and burning of trash.

PTI